Editorial

This paper argues that if the goal of slowing global ecological degradation, and of sustained improvement in aquatic ecosystem health is to be achieved, then a departure is required from the traditional, discipline-focused approach to aquatic ecosystem health research and management. It argues that a shift needs to be made towards systemic, integrative, and holistic approaches, drawing on diverse disciplines, with values and ethics as fundamental to such approaches. The paper proposes the systemic-relational (SR) ethical framework to aquatic ecosystem health research and management as an essential contribution to addressing the potential intractability of the continuing deterioration of aquatic ecosystem health. The framework recognises the centrality of values in aquatic ecosystem health management, and the role of ethics in negotiating, and constructively balancing, conflicting values to realise healthy ecosystems in social–ecological systems (SES). The implications of the framework in terms of the research-practice interface, decision making, policy formulation, and communication are discussed.

It was both an opportune time and a stroke of luck that I was offered the opportunity to work under the influence of two limnological titans, namely Drs. Richard Vollenweider and Jack Vallentyne at...

In October 2002, the Fifth International Conference on Sediment Quality Assessment (SQA5) was held in Chicago, Illinois, USA, sponsored by the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society (AEHMS). Approximately 135 international scientists from 15 countries came together to discuss issues related to the sediment quality of various water bodies. The program consisted of 40 oral papers and 50 posters including Keynote lectures by D. Di Toro (U.S.A.), L. Thibodeaux (U.S.A.), P. Chapman (Canada), V. E. Forbes (Denmark), and A. P. Dufour (U.S.A.). The program was categorized in to the following themes: Sediment and watershed management;Sediment transport and contaminated flux;Weight of evidence and risk-based decision making;Microbial pathogens: Are sediments at risk; andEmerging technologies for assessment and remediation.This conference continued the successful tradition established through the preceeding four SQA conferences which were convened in Sweden (1994), Italy (1996), The Netherlands (1998) and Japan (2000). The next sediment quality meeting, SQA6, will be held in Antwerp, Belgium in August of this year. These conferences have followed the same objectives as AEHMS, addressing practical, ‘state-of-the-science’ aspects of sediment contaminant and stressor issues in aquatic ecosystems and the associated decision-making processes needed to protect and improve them. In the past 10 years, there have been dramatic improvements in the science of sediment assessment as well as many associated success stories featuring reduced impairment and ecosystem recovery. SQA5 in Chicago showcased continuing advances and understanding of complex interrelationships of the disciplines of ecology, chemistry, hydrology, toxicology, microbiology, weight-of-evidence decision making and modeling. The ten papers from this conference which appear in this issue of Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management show the wide range of exciting issues that characterize this dynamic field, ranging from molecular and cellular level tools to modeling of multiple ecosystem processes to holistic based management approaches. Another set of papers originating from the SQA5 conference are scheduled for publication in another special issue of the journal. We hope that these papers will provide ‘state-of-the-art’ knowledge in sediment quality assessment and encourage researchers and managers to participate in future SQA conferences as this field matures.

The Gulf’s marine environment has long suffered due to anthropogenic stresses that negatively affect water quality, biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism, which are all economically critical to the ...

The AEHMS, via its journal (Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management) and the Ecovision World Monograph Series, has been actively engaged in promoting great/large lakes research. Consequently, it established a working group “The Great Lakes of the World-GLOW” for bringing together large lakes researchers to exchange ideas and technology. GLOW embarked on organizing special symposia which resulted in several peer-reviewed publications and special issues. In a short period of about 15 years, the AEHMS has published 11 peer-reviewed books under the banner of Ecovision World Monograph Series (Table 1).Over the past nine years 12 special issues of Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management have been published dealing with great/large lakes (Table 2).Most of the manuscripts included in this special issue originated from the two sessions organized at the following international conferences: “Managing the large lakes of the world: Health, Integrity and risks”Limnological Congress (SIL), Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 2007“Great Lakes tomorrow: Research tools, toys and techniques”International Great Lakes Research Conference (IAGLR),Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 2007The papers have been categorized on a continental basis: North American, European and African, and reflect a great variety of topics across these continents. For North America, the themes comprised characteristics of poorly known Canadian lakes, geological history, remote sensing, and aquatic protected areas of the Great Lakes. The European contributions dealt with climate, water quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton, optical counters and remote sensing, the African papers focused mainly on fisheries of Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika, Kivu and Naivasha. One contribution, from Dr. Ken Minns, on Canadian lakes was an invited article.We hope that this issue provides a valuable exposé and comparison of the status and health of large ecosystems distributed across the three continents. Such comparisons are essential in providing insights into common themes (biodiversity, food web interactions, fish habitat, and fisheries), and threats (eutrophication, toxic chemicals, invasive species and climate change). They should also aid in the development of models and in application of emerging technology to improve our understanding, monitoring and management of these precious aquatic resources which face multiple stressors (Munawar, 1987; 2000; 2009).M. MunawarFisheries and Oceans CanadaChief Editor, Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management

The The health of aquatic ecosystems is crucial for ecological balance and human well-being. This study explores recent advances in monitoring and managing aquatic ecosystem health, focusing on technological innovation and policy integration. It evaluates various advanced monitoring technologies, including remote sensing, IoT devices, biological monitoring methods, and big data analysis, applied to different water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands. These technologies provide comprehensive and detailed water quality data, enabling real-time monitoring and trend prediction. Additionally, the study analyzes the advantages and limitations of these technologies, such as high data acquisition costs, technical maintenance complexity, and data analysis bottlenecks. To address these challenges, it proposes enhancing monitoring and management efficiency through interdisciplinary collaboration and public participation. On the policy front, it discusses how sustainable water resource management can be achieved through legal frameworks, government-community cooperation, and international technological exchange. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating technology and policy and suggests future directions, including the development of cost-effective monitoring technologies, improvement of data analysis capabilities, and strengthening multi-stakeholder cooperation. This research provides a comprehensive reference framework for researchers and policymakers, aiming to promote the continuous development of aquatic ecosystem health monitoring and management.

Assessing the aquatic ecosystem health status of lakes has been the focus of lake studies for domestic and overseas researchers and water resource managers. Poyang Lake, which is one of the only two remaining large Yangtze-connected lakes in the middle reaches of Yangtze River in China, provides considerable ecosystem service functions, such as flood water storage, water supply for industrial and agricultural production, maintenance of the unique and diverse biota of the entire Yangtze floodplain ecosystem, maintenance of regional ecological balance and so on. However, due to the impact of climate change and human activities, Poyang Lake has experienced drastic hydrological changes, water quality decline and aquatic ecological function degradation in recent years. An assessment of the aquatic ecosystem health of Poyang Lake is of great importance. On the basis of the index system construction principles and a meta-analysis of previous research, this paper puts forward the index system for the ecosystem health assessment of Poyang Lake. The indices contains the three element layers of aquatic organisms, hydrologic characteristics and trophic status and the five indicators of ratio of cyanobacteria biomass to diatom biomass (CB/DB), diversity index of macrozoobenthos, lowest water level anomaly during the dry season, mean water level anomaly during rising season and trophic state index (TLI). Then, the thresholds of indicators are determined using empirical study, frequency analysis, standard specification and so on. Aquatic ecosystem health status is categorised into three groups: 'good', 'moderate' and 'poor'. The study could provide theoretical basis for identifying the causes of the lake aquatic ecosystem health degeneration and protecting the environment of Poyang Lake. This present study provides an attempt to quantify the aquatic ecosystem health in a large floodplain lake with dramatic hydrological variations and will give some impetus for floodplain ecosystem assessment and management worldwide.

Introduction| December 09 2008 Preface Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management (2008) 11 (4): 353–354. https://doi.org/10.1080/14634980802565901 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Twitter Permissions Search Site Citation Preface. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 9 December 2008; 11 (4): 353–354. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/14634980802565901 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All Scholarly Publishing CollectiveMichigan State University PressAquatic Ecosystem Health & Management Search Advanced Search The Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management Society (AEHMS) has been organizing a series of “State of the Lake” conferences around the world, including Lakes Baikal, Erie, Michigan, Winnipeg, Superior, Victoria and Tanganyika. The AEHMS has always followed up conferences with peer – reviewed publications which include integration and synthesis of state of the art information about these lakes. The papers resulting from these conferences have been published either as a peer-reviewed book, or as a special issue of AEHM (see www.aehms.org). This issue, titled Checking the Pulse of Lake Ontario (POLO), is part of this series.The Lake Ontario ecosystem is experiencing significant ecological change. Phosphorus abatement implemented in the 1970s under the auspices of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) has resulted in low spring total phosphorus levels in offshore waters, while nutrients like silicon and nitrate have increased over this period. Consistent with declines in phosphorus... You do not currently have access to this content.

“One of the finest natural areas yet discovered” was the way John McTaggart, a young British engineer, described Hamilton Harbour in 1827. By 1969, it was described in the Canadian Parliament as a “stinking rotten quagmire of filth and poisonous waste.” The “industrial heart of Canada” and “Steel City” are other descriptions that defined Hamilton and its harbour, setting the background for the image shared by most local and Canadian citizens. This image has persisted well past the turn of the 21st Century, even as things change.Hamilton Harbour is a special place for research precisely because it has absorbed and succumbed to urbanization and industrialization. It is a special place because as a community, citizens, industry, scientists and governments come together to reinvent this Harbour and remediate its ecosystem. The remediation process is not complete at the time of this publication, but it is within sight. Telling the story of progress to date is overdue; hence this special issue of the Journal of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society (AEHMS). The science in Hamilton Harbour could not take place without the support of the community, and the remediation of this Harbour could not take place without the science to direct actions. There are 19 varied partner agencies in the Bay Area Implementation Team that directs and leads the remedial actions: ArcelorMittal DofascoBay Area Restoration CouncilCity of BurlingtonCity of HamiltonConservation HaltonEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaFisheries and Oceans CanadaGreen VentureHamilton Conservation AuthorityHamilton Halton Home Builders’ AssociationHamilton Harbour RAP OfficeHamilton Port AuthorityHamilton Waterfront TrustMcMaster UniversityOntario Ministry of the Environment and Climate ChangeOntario Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestryRegional Municipality of HaltonRoyal Botanical GardensU.S. Steel CanadaThe Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan is a model for community, government and scientists collaborating to one end: the eventual delisting of the Harbour from the designation, under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, as an Area of Concern.This special issue reports on some of the ongoing science under the topics: Physical-chemical regime, toxic contaminant dynamics, and biotic community dynamics. The Hamilton Harbour community knows these topics as water quality, toxics, and fish and wildlife. Major projects are underway to remediate the Cootes Paradise Marsh, clean up a toxic blob known as Randle Reef, and upgrade wastewater treatment systems. These are not insignificant undertakings. Randle Reef is the largest sediment remediation project on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes and the most contaminated site of its kind in Canada. Upgrades to our wastewater treatment plants will push their function to the highest level practically achievable in tertiary treatment. Cootes Paradise Marsh restoration is one of the most notable and innovative freshwater marsh restorations of its kind in North America. In the end, close to two billion dollars will have been invested in remedial actions, science, and monitoring to remediate Hamilton Harbour.It is important to recognize that this collaborative effort would not have occurred without the work of several key individuals. We wish to acknowledge the role of the following individuals who have led, but are now retired from, this remediation effort: Anne Redish, former Chair of the Hamilton Harbour Stakeholder Forum; Dr. Keith Rodgers, first RAP Coordinator and leader of the original science writing team; Murray Charlton, former Head of the Hamilton Harbour Technical Team; Victor Cairns, former Chair of Fish and Wildlife Restoration; Dr. Peter Rice and Len Simser, leaders of the Cootes Paradise Restoration; Ken Hall, former Executive Director of the Bay Area Restoration Council; and Kathy Trotter, former Administrative Assistant for the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan. Finally, a special acknowledgement to the late Dr. Brian McCarry, whose understanding of the issues and ability to explain them to anyone are greatly missed. These people set an example for the many scientists and community workers who continue and expand their efforts.Thanks are also due to to Dr. Mohi Munawar and the staff of the AEHMS who were instrumental in organizing this special issue.

Purpose. To create a general bibliographic list of English-language scientific publications devoted to the peculiarities of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca Linnaeus, 1758) reproduction in natural and artificial conditions using various technologies as well as to briefly highlight English-language professional sources, in which the main attention is paid to the specifics of pikeperch development in the first stages of ontogenesis — starting from embryonic development and ending with the age-0+. Methodology. An interdisciplinary approach was used to create this thematic English-language bibliography. Its was based on the practical application of the principles of analytics and systematics. In turn, the limits of applicability of the latter were outlined by holistic and selective methods. The actual bibliographic core consists of sources that are found in the vast majority on the Internet, mostly with free access to the full texts. Findings. A thematic bibliography of 149 English-language sources is included. All of them are placed in alphabetical order by author or title and are drawn in accordance with the requirements of the State Standard of Ukraine (DSTU 8302:2015 “Information and documentation. Bibliographic reference. General provisions and rules of compilation” with amendments — UKND code 01.140.40) and the most common international standard (APA style). The absolute majority of the mentioned sources were published in the last 25 years in well-known international journals(«Aquaculture International», “Aquaculture Report”, “Aquatic Research”, “Biologia”, “Czech Journal of Animal Science”, “Ecology of Freshwater Fish”, “Fish Physiology and Biochemistry”, “Journal of Applied Ichthyology”, “Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems”, “North American Journal of Aquaculture”, “Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences”, etc.). Practical Value. The presented thematic English-language bibliography can be used in educational, research, organizational and other types of activities related to the reproduction and preservation of aquatic living biological resources in Ukraine and in other countries of the world. The sources given in it will deepen and supplement the knowledge of scientists and producers regarding the peculiarities of reproduction and ontogenesis of pikeperch at the stages from gastrula to the age-0+. Keywords: pikeperch (Sander lucioperca Linnaeus, 1758), aquaculture, reproduction, embryogenesis, ontogenesis, larvae, juvenile, yearlings.

There are 30 species of soft-shelled turtles belonging to the family Trionychidae worldwide. Nine species and five genera of this family are native to South Asia. All soft-shelled freshwater turtle species of this family in South Asian countries are listed in the IUCN Red List. The authors review the existing literature, discuss the findings, and suggest integrating ecological and bio-molecular concepts to understand soft-shelled turtles in South Asia. These turtles play a vital role in the health of aquatic ecosystems because they are both scavengers and omnivores, providing a mechanism for dispersing plants, purifying water by removing carrion, and contributing to the overall health of these ecosystems. These turtles are a source of food and ingredients in Chinese medicine and Oriental pharmacopeia. Their populations are declining due to the large-scale usage of these turtles for various purposes and habitat degradation.

Background Declining fertility rates are a globally documented problem, affecting even regions that have historically high fertility rates. In the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, most countries and territories are seeing birth rates drop far below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman. Policymakers in these countries have switched from a historic focus on population control policies to investing in pronatalist policies that aim to boost the national fertility rate by tackling the socioeconomic drivers of falling fertility. In this paper, we examine policies affecting the often-overlooked medical aspect of this challenge: infertility. Objective To review challenges in fertility policy and propose solutions to improve equitable access to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and associated services. Methods A review of literature was conducted on fertility policy challenges and developments in the APAC region, covering fertility recognition and awareness; egg freezing; and access to ART treatment, psychosocial care, and supplementary care. Experts from nine different countries and territories were invited to validate secondary research findings and provide their perspectives on policy implications. The experts participated in individual 60-minute interviews, then a half-day Policy Forum discussion was held at the Asia-Pacific Assisted Conception Congress 2024, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Results Whilst several countries in the region have long recognised falling total fertility rates (TFR) as a cause for concern, many have been slow to recognise infertility as a disease, resulting in limited policy development to support patients experiencing infertility. Commonly this presents as lack of funding allocated towards fertility services, limited or no reimbursement of fertility treatment or egg freezing, and poor societal awareness of infertility and hence delays in seeking care. Various policy changes can be adopted to improve care for patients across the APAC region. Conclusion Our review identified multiple gaps in policy development for supporting individuals experiencing infertility. Looking to countries in which the TFR dropped below replacement level many years ago, the importance of timely policy intervention before negative demographic consequences occur is critical.

You have accessMoreSectionsView PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Cite this article Capps Krista A. and Flecker Alexandar S. 2013Invasive aquarium fish transform ecosystem nutrient dynamicsProc. R. Soc. B.2802013241820132418http://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.2418SectionSupplemental MaterialYou have accessCorrectionsInvasive aquarium fish transform ecosystem nutrient dynamics Krista A. Capps Krista A. Capps Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for more papers by this author and Alexandar S. Flecker Alexandar S. Flecker Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for more papers by this author Krista A. Capps Krista A. Capps Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for more papers by this author and Alexandar S. Flecker Alexandar S. Flecker Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for more papers by this author Published:07 December 2013https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.2418This article corrects the followingResearch ArticleInvasive aquarium fish transform ecosystem nutrient dynamicshttps://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.1520 Krista A. Capps and Alexander S. Flecker volume 280issue 1769Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences22 October 2013Proc. R. Soc. B280, 20131520 (22 October 2013; Published Online 21 August 2013) (doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.1520)The genus of the swamp eel found in the Chacamax River should read Ophisternon not Monopterus.The online supplemental figures have now been corrected. Previous Article VIEW FULL TEXT DOWNLOAD PDF FiguresRelatedReferencesDetailsCited by Dudgeon D (2020) Freshwater Biodiversity Wei H, Hu Y, Li S, Chen F, Luo D, Gu D, Xu M, Mu X and Yang Y (2020) A review of freshwater fish introductions to the Guangdong province, China, Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 10.1080/14634988.2019.1685850, 22:4, (396-407), Online publication date: 2-Oct-2019. Patoka J, Magalhães A, Kouba A, Faulkes Z, Jerikho R and Vitule J (2018) Invasive aquatic pets: failed policies increase risks of harmful invasions, Biodiversity and Conservation, 10.1007/s10531-018-1581-3, 27:11, (3037-3046), Online publication date: 1-Sep-2018. Pantel J, Bohan D, Calcagno V, David P, Duyck P, Kamenova S, Loeuille N, Mollot G, Romanuk T, Thébault E, Tixier P and Massol F (2017) 14 Questions for Invasion in Ecological Networks Networks of Invasion: A Synthesis of Concepts, 10.1016/bs.aecr.2016.10.008, (293-340), . Maceda-Veiga A, Domínguez-Domínguez O, Escribano-Alacid J and Lyons J (2014) The aquarium hobby: can sinners become saints in freshwater fish conservation?, Fish and Fisheries, 10.1111/faf.12097, 17:3, (860-874), Online publication date: 1-Sep-2016. Holmberg R, Tlusty M, Futoma E, Kaufman L, Morris J and Rhyne A (2015) The 800-Pound Grouper in the Room: Asymptotic Body Size and Invasiveness of Marine Aquarium Fishes, Marine Policy, 10.1016/j.marpol.2014.10.024, 53, (7-12), Online publication date: 1-Mar-2015. Capps K (2019) Wastewater infrastructure and the ecology and management of freshwater systems, Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia, 10.1590/s2179-975x3719, 31 Related articlesInvasive aquarium fish transform ecosystem nutrient dynamics22 October 2013Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences This Issue07 December 2013Volume 280Issue 1772 Article InformationDOI:https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.2418Published by:Royal SocietyOnline ISSN:1471-2954History: Published online07/12/2013Published in print07/12/2013 License:© 2013 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved. Citations and impact Subjectsecology Large datasets are available through Proceedings B's partnership with Dryad

Ecosystem management in Asia Pacific: Bridging science–policy gap

Nowadays, the United States shows its foreign policy focus to the Asia Pacific region where there is a border conflict between China and the countries in the Southeast Asia Region. This paper tries to analyze the increasing tension of the US and Chinese military forces in the South China Sea and see how the challenges Indonesia will face with the escalation in the South China Sea. The United States of America began to increase its military power aimed to overseeing the South China Sea and Chinese Hegemony. The increase in US military strength certainly threatens China's interests in the South China Sea so that even in the middle of Covid-19, China is showing its military strength by conducting patrols and joint exercises in the waters of southern China. The improvement of the two superpowers can be seen in the framework of the Balancing Power theory, which emphasizes the analysis of military force tension in both countries. Whereas in analyzing the challenges faced by Indonesia, it can use the Balance of Threat theory. The purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations for the Indonesian government in dealing with the increasing tension in the South China Sea.